I have been alot better with budgeting and such thanks to my eyes being opened by this and a few other boards. Still trying to plug some of those leaks.

Leak #1: The Dollar StoreHere in Philadelphia we have tons of them. I've become the Dollar Store Diva in the last year or so. I know which stores are best for what items. But I have to remember that it is not much of a bargain if I overspend or buy things I don't have a pressing need for at the moment.

Leak #2: The craft storeSigh! It's so hard to be multitalented. Budgeting for hobbies (cake decorating, picture framing, scrapbooking and photography) is hard especially when you see things in the Michael's (craft store) discount isle. As a former complusive bargain shopper it's still hard to pass up a good deal.

Leak #3: Mail-order (Books and CD's)It doesn't seem like I spend that much.(smile) In fact in the last year I've been dropped buy a few clubs because I didn't buy often enough. (Columbia Music Club and Black Expressions book club gave up on me. Oh well. Their loss!) The book of the month clubs are especially tempting. Now I only have one music club membership and five book club memberships: Book-of-the-month, Crossings, Book and Cook, Crafter's Choice and the Literary Guild. Can you tell I love books? No wonder I want to go to grad school so I can be a librarian.

When Life Gives You Lemons
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